Williams' key sack helps Bills beat Dolphins 23-21

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP)

Thad Lewis completed one pass for a first down even as a
blitzing linebacker knocked his helmet off and sent it skittering
upfield.

The hit drew a flag and left Lewis sprawled on the turf, but the
Buffalo Bills' young quarterback leaped to his feet screaming and
punching the air to celebrate the gain.

Lewis' resilience proved infectious Sunday. The Bills blew an
early 14-point lead, then rallied to kick the winning field goal
with 33 seconds left and beat the Miami Dolphins 23-21.

Mario Williams forced a fumble by sacking Ryan Tannehill with
less than three minutes to go, setting up the winning 31-yard kick
by Dan Carpenter, who was released in August after five seasons
with the Dolphins.

The Bills won in Lewis' second start since being promoted from
the practice squad to replace injured EJ Manuel. Lewis'
fist-pumping after being leveled came when Buffalo trailed 21-17 in
the third quarter.

''I was excited,'' he said. ''I'm not a rah-rah guy, but when
you're down and out, you've got to do something to get the team
going.''

Lewis was sacked four times and threw an interception, but he
threw for 202 yards and helped the Bills convert 9 of 19 third
downs.

Defense did the rest. Rookie Nickell Robey returned an
interception 19 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the
game, and Buffalo turned the tide late with the help of two sacks
by Williams.

The injury-plagued Bills (3-4) ended a streak of six consecutive
road losses, including two this year. But it was a home game of
sorts for Lewis, who grew up near the Dolphins' stadium.

''It meant a lot to get this win,'' he said. ''Wins are hard to
come by in this league. It's even sweeter to get it at home.''

Miami (3-3) lost its third game in a row. A month ago, the
Dolphins were basking in their best start since 2002. They haven't
won since.

''We're in a tough spot right now,'' Tannehill said. ''We have
to face the adversity and grow from it. There are two ways we can
go. We can tank it, or we can turn it around.''

The 99th meeting between the AFC East rivals had one of the
wilder endings in the series. With Miami nursing a 21-20 lead,
Tannehill tried to throw from midfield but fumbled when sacked by
Williams.

''We needed to get the ball back in good field position,''
Williams said. ''When I came through, I realized I had a shot at
it. I thought, `There's the ball.' Then it came out.''

Kyle Williams recovered at the Miami 34. Carpenter, who drew
boos throughout the game, lined up for the winner seven plays
later.

''I just thought, `Kick it through those yellow things,''' he
said.

Marcus Thigpen nearly broke the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown,
but was tripped up by Carpenter after a 44-yard return to the Miami
46. Tannehill then threw four consecutive incompletions, his final
desperate heave landing in the end zone among a cluster of players
as time ran out.

Along with his fumble and interception returned for a touchdown,
Tannehill threw another interception when Miami was threatening.
Tannehill, who came into the game on pace to set an NFL record for
being sacked, increased his total to 26 with two - both by Mario
Williams, who has 10 this year.

''I have to take full responsibility,'' Clabo said. ''He's a
really good player. He made a big play at a crucial point in the
game. That's why he's considered one of the best defensive ends in
the league.''

Tannehill almost offset his turnovers with three touchdown
passes, two to Brandon Gibson.

Gibson turned one short throw into an acrobatic score, leaping
over one defender at the goal line and splitting two others as he
tumbled airborne into the end zone.

His spinning limbs made him look like a helicopter, and the
13-yard score with 21 seconds left in the first half cut Buffalo's
lead to 17-14.

Gibson made his second TD catch just as entertaining. After
catching a 4-yard pass in the back of the end zone, he flipped the
ball aside, leaped over a barricade and was mobbed by more than a
dozen happy fans watching from field level.

Notes: Bills LB Manny Lawson left the game in the third quarter
with a hamstring injury. ... Dolphins DE Cameron Wake saw sporadic
action after missing most of the past three games with a left knee
injury. ... Miami CB Dimitri Patterson had a sack in his first game
since suffering a groin injury in the season opener. ... The Bills
have scored at least 20 points in every game.

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.